Mountains of Southern Austria

10/8/2012

Quick change of scenery..leaving the beach and headed inland.. 4 hour drive north puts us at the base of the Karawanks Mountain Range of the Eastern Alps in Austria.  The town of Drobollach is on Lake Faaker See with the mountain range behind the lake. Magnificent views from our balcony! Kevin has a presentation at the University of Klagenfurt, which is a partner with University of Northern Iowa, to recruit students to UNI.  Drobollach is just south of Klagenfurt by 40km.  Just a quick 8 minute walk and we are on the lake shore.  Lake Faaker See is transparent blue-green with an amazing view of the mountains behind.

The area is called the Carpathian Basin which borders Austria/Slovenia/Italy.  The food is influenced by all three areas.  We walk to a  nearby small restaurant with fresh made pasta; Carmen & I had pesto fettuccine, Kevin had Wiener Schnitzel, Ryan had Tomato Spaghetti. We finished off this wonderful meal with a tasty ice cream dessert with 4 spoons.

In the morning Kevin heads to Klagenfurt from 8-2pm while the Kids and I  have an amazing breakfast buffet with locally made jams and breads as well as dried fruits, granolas, and farm fresh boiled eggs. After breakfast we take a walk around Faaker See Lake.  It is a beautiful sunny day and such a drastic change of scenery from the previous day at the beach.  We have found a place where Kevin can be in the Mountains & I can be at the Beach on the same day!!!  After a nice long walk we return to the http://www.hotel-melcher.at.  

Ryan & I check out bikes for a ride on the nearby trail.  Carmen stays at the hotel in the Sunroom enjoying the free Wi-Fi.  Little did we know that the trail is part of the Alps-Adriatic Trail                  (similar to our Appalachian Trail in the USA) Breathless views and great wooded trail to the next town of Faak - stop giggling - see the sign below.

Karin is the Manager at the Melcher Pension and was wonderful to all of us.  She is just at happy, helpful & bubbly at 600am as she was at 1800pm  the day before when we were getting settled in our room. Yes, she always wears the traditional dress of the Carpathian area.  

Next stop - Lake Balaton & the Tihany Benedictine Abby, Hungary